Full statement with regards to Canberra Times Article – 6 July 2024
Council believes ACT Government and developers have overlooked a significant segment of the local market and this is failing local residents who want to age in place within the district. There are plenty of opportunities in Weston Creek for boutique developments that use available blocks for small, single level townhouse complexes. Many local residents are not interested in high density units, multi storey townhouses and retirement villages available in other parts of the city. They want to age in place within a community that they have raised their families in and where they have strong community and family links and they also want to do it in housing that suits their needs.
Council routinely receives feedback from residents wanting to downsize or ‘rightsize’ into local housing that requires less maintenance yet still has all the accessibility requirements that older residents ageing in place would like to enjoy. Quality build and architecture, personal and communal outdoor living spaces, low strata/separate title options that used to be common place, are all on the top of the list of requests. There are redundant blocks in Weston Creek that would suit this style of housing and these blocks need to be unlocked first, so we can start to cycle through the stock. Council would like to see the ACT Government consulting with us to find sites that will meet this local market need with some degree of urgency.
Weston Creek is the inner west of Canberra. It is centrally located and wants to remain affordable to young families and older residents alike and offer a mix of housing that allows older people to downsize locally. We need renewal in our district and development that meets the current market demand, in order to turnover the current housing stock in our district.
Council has consistently extended invitations to the local MLA’s and the ACT Governmentto engage and consult directly with local stakeholders. We also put in a request for a designated District Planner, as Council believes this is a vital step in developing a shared vision for the district, identifying suitable sites, and structuring a collaborative approach for delivering on the Weston Creek District Plan. In our ongoing efforts to initiate this dialogue, we are awaiting a formal response and engagement. Council remains ready and willing to work constructively with the ACT Government in future planning that genuinely addresses and reflects the needs and aspirations of our fabulous and incredibly unique community.